The Crossville Cornet Band, circa 1888

Research shows that an early written account of a community band was in 1888 when a Crossville Cornet Band was mentioned. It was customary in those days for small towns to have bands for holiday celebrations such as Independence Day and for Sunday concerts in the park.

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In November of 2000, local teacher, Murray Kidwell, gathered a small group of interested musicians and plans were made for the formation of a community band.  The band began rehearsals at the Cumberland County High School later that month.  The CCCB’s first performance was on December 10, 2000 in the Cumberland County High School gymnasium with Mr. Kidwell conducting.  Mr. Kidwell continued as director of the band until his retirement in 2008.  After retiring as the band’s director Mr. Kidwell became the band’s principal flautist.

 

Between April 2008 and September 2011 the band perfomed under several guest directors including Jack Bittle, Lance Kennedy, Don Miller and Mike Chilcutt.   In September of 2011 Brian Bacon became the band’s director and continued in that position until June 2015.  Murray Kidwell returned to the podium and directed concerts in July and September of that year.

 

Mr. Glen Belcher directed the band from September 2015 through December 2019. He is a retired band director with 37 years teaching experience in Tennessee and Alabama.  He is passionate about the benefits of Arts education and in August 2016, under his directorship, the CCCB Board of Directors assumed oversight of the STARTS (SupportTheARTS) Program.  He speaks frequently about the benefits of Arts education and may be contacted through the band’s website.

 

Effective January 2020, principal clarinetist, William Kerr, assumed the Conductor position of the Band.